Jason Cavallaro's Best and Worst of June

A record-breaking month for me. 24 books read! A ton of good stuff too. BEST OF THE MONTH: Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage
I hated to pick just one as the best, but you know the rules.

This may be my favorite evil kid story of all time. It's pitch perfect: The gallows humor is great, and there are chilling moments as well. Just an overall fun read.

WORST OF THE MONTH: The Tribe by Bari Wood

Yet another paperback from hell that I really couldn't get into. It's a shame, because I did like his novel Twins, which was adapted by David Cronenberg (Dead Ringers).

The rest:

Remember Why You Fear Me by Robert Shearman (collection). Like many collections, uneven quality. Grade: C
White Tears by Hari Kunzru. A lesser version of Lewis Shiner's Glimpses. Grade: C
Lure by Tim McGregor. Great mermaid novella from a new talent. Grade: B
Daphne by Josh Malerman. Easily of of my faves from Malerman. I expect it'll be on some award ballots next year. Grade: B
My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell. Not quite disturbing, but definitely an uncomfortable read. Grade: B
Black and Blue by Anna Quindlen. I liked one of her other books and this one was only $1. oops. Grade: C
Goddess of Filth by V Castro. Reminded me a little of the Netflix film, Veronica. Very good. Grade: B
In the Miso Soup by Ryu Murakami. Felt like a waking nightmare. Will definitely read him again. Grade: B
Pandemonium by Daryl Gregory. Cool concept, but I tired of it early on. Grade: C
Little Eve by Catriona Ward. Super surprised I didn't love it. Her two other recent releases are better. Grade: C
Twentieth Anniversary Screening by Jeff Strand. Very fun novella. Grade: B
We Can Never Leave This Place by Eric Larocca. For how weird it is, the story is somehow relatable. Grade: B
Beneath a Pale Sky by Philip Fracassi (collection). Rue Morgue magazine's best collection 2021. Worth all the hype. Grade: B
The Butcher Boy by Patrick McCabe. Like a disturbing and hilarious version of Catcher in the Rye. Grade: B
You've Lost a Lot of Blood by Eric Larocca. Not as good as his other two novellas. Grade: C
The Call by Peader O'Guilin. One of a few great YA novels I read this month. Grade: B
Pet Noir by Pati Nagle (graphic novel). Really cute sf about a cat detective. Grade: B
Last Things by Jacqueline West. This was very close to making best of the month. Excellent YA. Grade: A
Sunray Alice by Jeremy Hepler. Not as good as The Boulevard Monster, but it's pretty close. Grade: B
Haunt of Southern Fried Fear by Ronald Kelly (collection). Felt like a prose version of EC comics. Not for me. Grade: C
He Who Types Between the Rows 2 by Mark Sieber. Mark has done it again. I read it in one sitting, that's all you need to know. Grade: A
Homesick For Another World by Ottessa Moshfegh (collection). Stories about dysfunctional people. Grade: B

Reviews by Jason Cavallaro
jcavallaro42@gmail.com
Twitter: @pinheadspawn